Song Yaozhu laughed heartily, pointed at the two people in the courtyard who were oblivious to everyone else, and said to Shen Qingyu, "The wedding banquet for these two can be prepared now."

Shen Qingyu smiled as well; she didn't object to the marriage. Having known Yongle for a while, she felt that Yongle was simple-minded. Although she had a bit of a temper, she was quite willing to reason with her if she was coaxed properly.

“Your Highness, let’s get down to business,” she said in a low voice, her expression rather mysterious. “I haven’t been at the Tzu Chi Foundation for long, but I always feel there’s something wrong with this place.”

Last month, a child went missing. The Tzu Chi Foundation's supervising nanny said that the child had run away because he was disobedient and must have been taken away by kidnappers. After that, they never went looking for the child again.

She felt something was wrong and wanted to report it to the authorities, but was scolded by the old woman.

Later, she went through the Tzu Chi Foundation's files and found that every few months, children would go missing. The people in the foundation had gotten used to it and all agreed with the old woman's explanation that the children had been taken away by kidnappers.

"I understand. I'll investigate later. You're here alone, so don't do anything rash. Just do your job and don't arouse suspicion or get yourself into trouble."

Shen Qingyu nodded, "I know, Your Highness, you don't need to worry about me. I don't know if involving Your Highness in this matter will bring you any bad things."

Shen Qingyu twisted her handkerchief, looking conflicted. But for some reason, seeing Song Yaozhu always brought her peace of mind. When faced with difficulties, her first thought was to seek help from her.

The princess made her feel incredibly reliable; she was like the sea, vast and boundless, encompassing all things.

After finishing her tea, Song Yaozhu left with Yongle. This little girl was really into teasing him; she didn't even realize that if she kept teasing him, he would want to dig a hole and hide himself away.

As he sat in the carriage, Yongle rested his chin on his hand and sighed.

"You're telling me to listen to my mother, but the Cui family and the Lu family have already broken off the engagement. Now my mother and I are choosing an auspicious day to propose marriage! If we wait any longer, I'm afraid I might really end up marrying Cui Yan?"

Song Yaozhu chuckled, "What's wrong with Cui Yan? Although his father is not in a high position, he comes from a prestigious family and is handsome."

Before Song Yaozhu could finish speaking, Yongle interrupted her, "No! I regret it so much now. I shouldn't have done such a brainless thing just to anger my mother."

She pouted, looking extremely aggrieved.

Song Yaozhu looked at her and said, "Only through experience can one grow up."

"Why don't you go and tell your mother that you don't want to marry Cui Yan? Your mother will definitely find a way to help you."

“I know my mother will definitely help me solve this, but I don’t want to rely on them for everything… especially since I had such a terrible falling out with my mother before, all because I wanted to marry Cui Yan…”

She not only couldn't bring herself to do it, but also felt ashamed.

Sigh, my conscience is aching.

Upon returning home, Song Yaozhu received a letter from Lord Yu. The letter stated that he had discovered the Lin family case was a scheme orchestrated by the Cui family to seize land. However, through his connections with the local county magistrate, he had already persuaded the magistrate to offer the land to the Tao family as a gift. Now, the Cui family had gained nothing, knowing the land had fallen into the Tao family's hands, and they might very well harbor resentment towards the Tao family.

Song Yaozhu greatly admired Yu Gong's abilities. He managed to deal with the local officials in Jiangnan all by himself, and even took Cui's money and gave it to Tao, thus creating enmity between the two families. That was quite a feat.

The day after Yu Gong's letter arrived, someone in the court impeached Tao Dingbang, saying that someone had seen bandits using crossbows in Jianzhou. This was no ordinary matter and shocked the court and the public.

"Crossbows are controlled weapons. How could bandits possibly have crossbows? How did Tao Dingbang manage Jianzhou Road?" an official said indignantly.

If something goes wrong in Jianzhou, their journey to the capital will be in grave danger!

"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. Please send someone to Jianzhou to investigate the truth of this matter!"

These people were unaware that Tao Dingbang had been secretly escorted back to the capital and had already undergone one round of interrogation. They were waiting for the emperor's secret guards to investigate the truth in Jianzhou and return to clear his name so that he could be reinstated to his original position.

Yuwen Wuji did not want this matter to be made public, as it would cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. For example, the Prince of Yan, who had been lying low in the southern border.

If he hears of this and takes the opportunity to lead his troops north, then his throne will be in jeopardy!

He wondered which fool had dared to expose this. Yuwen Wuji narrowed his eyes, looked at the official who had reported the matter, and decided that he would keep him in check from now on and prevent him from being promoted.

I'm just causing him trouble!

"Enough!" The officials were arguing incessantly when Yuwen Wuji raised his hand, and everyone fell silent, waiting for the Emperor to speak. "I already know about this matter. Tao Dingbang is already on trial in the capital. I have sent people to Jianzhou to investigate the matter. We will discuss it again after the truth comes out."

The implication was that this matter should not be discussed outside the palace.

After the court session ended, Yuwen Wuji wearily rubbed his temples, and Li Wei brought the emperor a cup of tea.

What has Xie Liwei been doing lately?

Xie Liwei's request for money from the Ministry of Revenue still bothered him. The debts incurred during the founding of the dynasty should be considered nonexistent. What emperor is so heavily indebted?! Wasn't this a slap in the face?

And Tong Qian, I don't know how he does things. It's been more than ten years, and he still can't settle this little debt?

“The Prince of Xiaoyao has been going to the Ministry of Revenue these past few days, saying he wants to find out when the money from before will be paid.”

Yuwen Wuji gripped the teacup tightly, his displeasure almost tangible.

"Go ask him why he wants this money."

Li Wei gasped and replied in a deep voice.

As he left the palace gates, he gazed at the sky and sighed deeply. The principle of repaying debts does not apply to the emperor. Only debts acknowledged by the emperor are considered debts; as for debts not acknowledged by the emperor, he has plenty of ways to make people forget about them.

He had barely left the Qiankun Palace when he encountered a palace maidservant from Song Wenyue's side. Because of Prince Yong, Song Wenyue had nearly miscarried, and Yuwen Wuji had ordered her to stay in the palace to rest and not leave.

Firstly, it was for the sake of the child in her womb; secondly, the emperor did not want to see her. If it weren't for her, there would be no need to send his son to his fiefdom.

"Chief Steward Li." The palace maid greeted Li Wei upon seeing him. Half of the palace servants around Song Wenyue had died on New Year's Eve. She was originally a maid serving inside and outside the palace, and had been promoted. "Did Consort Zhaoyi give any instructions?"

"Her Highness is truly bored in the palace. She wishes to ask you, sir, to mention her to the Emperor so that he may request to see her. Even if the Emperor does not wish to see Her Highness, what about the little prince in Her Highness's womb?"

Li Wei looked at the young palace maid, paused for a moment, and said, "His Majesty has been very busy with court affairs lately. If he has time, he will naturally visit Consort Zhaoyi."

Seeing his reaction, the young palace maid had no choice but to return and give him this reply. Song Wenyue immediately smashed the teacup on her head.

"Idiot, you can't even tell the difference between such perfunctory words, what else can you do!"

"Oh dear! My sister is pregnant, why is she so irritable?"